Die Lunæ, 29 Novembris, 1669. 21 Car. II.

Leave for Member to attend Lords.

ORDERED, That Mr. Milward have the Leave of
this House to attend the House of Lords in a Cause
there depending, wherein one Mr. Owen is concerned.

Bridgewater Election.

Ordered, That the Cause, touching the Election for
the Town of Bridgwater, be heard before the Committee
of Election, on Thursday next.

Conventicles.

Ordered, That all that shall come to the Committee,
concerning Conventicles, shall have Voices.

Hotchkin's Estate.

A Bill to enable Mr. Richard Hotchkin to sell Lands
in Leicestershire, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill be read the Second time
on Wednesday next.

Clothstealing.

A Petition of the Clothiers in Gloucestershire was read;
and Leave given for bringing in a Bill on their Behalf.

Ditto.

A Bill for taking away the Benefit of Clergy from such
as feloniously cut and steal Cloth from the Rack, in the
Night-time, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill be read the Second time
on Wednesday next.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Richard Everard have the Leave of
this House to go into the Country.

Ordered, That Mr. Sandys the younger have the Leave of
of this House to go into the Country, for Recovery of his
Health.

Tolls on the Medway.

Sir Thomas Meres reports from the Committee of Grievances, the State of the Case upon the Petition of the Masters of Hoys, and other Vessels trading from Essex and
Kent to London, and other Parts, and passing by the
Fort at Gravesend, of which Sir John Griffith is Governor; that the Committee, upon full Examination of the
whole Matter, had passed the Resolve following; viz.

That Sir John Griffith, and his Instruments, compelling the Masters of Hoys, and other Vessels, trading from
Essex and Kent upon the Thames, to pay Eighteen Pence,
and other Sums, before they might pass by the Fort of
Gravesend, whereof he is Governor, is a Grievance.

The Question being put, To agree with the Committee
in the Resolve aforesaid;

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

A Petition of Sir John Griffith was read: And the
Matter debated:

Resolved, &c. That this Matter of Grievance is an
high Extortion.

Representation to the King.

Resolved, &c. That this Matter of Grievance and high
Extortion, be represented to his Majesty, by such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's Privy Council.

Sale of Offices.

Extortion.

Ordered, That it be referred to Mr. Solicitor General,
Sir Robert Atkins, Sir Thom. Lee, Sir Robert Carr, Sir
Charles Harbord, Sir Walter Young, Mr. Swynfen, Mr.
Serjeant Mainard, Sir Richard Temple, Mr. Garraway,
Sir Phill. Musgrave, Sir Thom. Meres, Mr. Coleman, or any
Three of them, to prepare and bring in a Bill for Prevention of the Sale of Offices: And also to prepare and
bring in another Bill to make Extortion of Money,
contrary to Law, more penal: And also to prepare and
bring in a third Bill, for regulating and ascertaining, and to
prevent Exaction, of Fees in Offices: And the especial Care
of these Bills is recommended to Mr. Serjeant Mainard.

Publick Accounts.

Ordered, That the further Consideration of the Report
of the Commissioners for Accounts be adjourned till Friday Morning next: And the Commissioners are desired
to be then present.

Chester Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do certify the Lord Keeper
of the Great Seal of England of the Death of Peter Venables Esquire, who lately served as Knight of the Shire
for the County of Chester; desiring him, that a Writ
may issue forth, under the Great Seal, for the Election of
a Knight of the Shire to serve in this present Parliament
in his Place and Stead.

And then the House adjourned till Wednesday
Morning next, Eight of the Clock.